Spain, the world’s second most visited country after France, attracted a record 80.5 million international tourists in the first nine months of 2026, a 5.2% increase from a year earlier, despite global challenges.
Between January and September, spending by international tourists rose 8% year-on-year to nearly EUR114.3 billion (US$128.5 billion), according to Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE).
The United Kingdom remained Spain’s largest source market, accounting for nearly 16.2 million visitors. France ranked second with more than 10.3 million, followed by Germany with nearly 9.5 million.
If the trend continues through December, Spain could record 102 million international arrivals in 2026, surpassing the 100-million mark for the first time, INE said.
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A couple take selfies in a crowed Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, May 24, 2023. Photo by Reuters |
Spain is targeting 100 million foreign visitors this year, following a record 97 million arrivals in 2025.
Spain’s travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute more than EUR269 billion (US$300 billion) to the national economy in 2026, up 4.1% from the previous year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
Last year, its travel and tourism contributed EUR259 billion, equivalent to 15.3% of Spain’s GDP, and supported 3.2 million jobs.
Spain has become a bright spot in the global tourism industry amid the Middle East crisis, which has dampened visitor numbers in several economies heavily dependent on tourism.